Phalen Leadership Academies, PLA, celebrates Black History Month by inspiring students across the world to #DreamBuildLead with a video montage of PLA teachers from across the country reading Useni Eugene Perkins’, Hey Black Child. 

Throughout February, PLA has highlighted past and present African-American trailblazers and innovators, educating and empowering young scholars to learn and embrace the rich history and wide accomplishments of African-Americans.

“PLA is a unique and extraordinary organization in that much of our leadership and staff are representative of the communities we serve,” said PLA Founder & CEO, Earl Martin Phalen.  “It is important that we honor our history, while also inspiring our scholars to dream, build, and become leaders in shaping the future.”

#DreamBuildLead pays tribute to individuals whose courage, entrepreneurial spirit, and passion to combat injustice has impacted our everyday lives and inspired generations of leaders; including Lyda D. Newman, Garrett A. Morgan, Barack Obama, and PLA’s very own Founder and CEO, Earl Martin Phalen.

Phalen, whose middle name pays tribute to Martin Luther King Jr., has emerged as one of the most impactful and transformative leaders in education. His passion to impact the lives of children through education started with an after-school and summer enrichment program over 20 years ago has now grown to become one of the most transformative forces in education with schools in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, and Alabama.  

PLA welcomes everyone to join in their celebration of Black History Month on social media by following the hashtag #DreamBuildLead. To learn more about the extraordinary impact the organization is making in the lives of children across the country by visiting PhalenAcademies.org.